Liam Coen tells Jaguars to ‘leave no doubt’ with penalties

The Jacksonville Jaguars have built a reputation as a strong, complete team, but one area has been plaguing them through the entire 2026 season. Penalties have been a constant issue for the Jaguars , but also for the league as a whole.

Through the first four weeks alone , there were 963 accepted penalties, the most through Week 4 since play-by-play data became available in 1978. Week 4 alone featured 271 accepted penalties, the second-most in any week over that span.

The debate over officiating was reignited in Week 7 after several controversial calls in the Detroit Lions ' 20-17 win over the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay players openly criticized the officiating afterward, while head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged there were "some tough calls," though ultimately admitted his team had to "play above it."

The conversation surrounding officiating has not been limited to frustrated players and coaches. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the increase in penalties last week, arguing that the number of flags alone should not be viewed as a reflection of officiating quality.

Asked Monday how he keeps the Jaguars from getting drawn into similar frustration, Coen offered a similar philosophy. "Leave no doubt is really what it comes down to," Coen said. "You know, play above it. Leave no doubt."

Jacksonville has had plenty of experience with the league's flag-heavy start. The Jaguars were penalized 13 times for 125 yards against Cincinnati, and another 13 times for 100 yards against Philadelphia. They were able to improve to just six penalties for 66 yards against Houston, but the timing of several proved costly.

A holding call on Brenton Strange erased a Bhayshul Tuten touchdown against the Texans. Jacksonville was also flagged for having too many players on the field after appearing to force Houston into a third-quarter punt, extending a drive that eventually ended in a touchdown.

Not every call has been without controversy, but Coen's message is that debating which flags were justified does little to help the Jaguars avoid the next one.

"Regardless of results, the fundamentals and techniques in which we coach, teach, we got to continue to detail those even when fatigue sets in and whether it's mental or physical fatigue sets in," Coen said. "We have got to be at our best in terms of detail, fundamentally sharp, disciplined in order to leave no doubt that we control our destiny."

Coen acknowledged that ignoring questionable officiating can be easier said than done. "It's hard not to," he said. "It's human instinct and nature to do so. But it really doesn't do anybody any good to go down that path. Trust me, I've been there."